The UK Government has launched a Women in Tech Taskforce to help women overcome persistent barriers to careers in technology, as part of a broader strategy to boost economic growth and turbocharge British innovation.

Bringing together industry leaders, including Francesca Carlesi, CEO of Revolut UK, Allison Kirkby, CEO at BT Group, and Sue Daley, director at techUK, the Taskforce will advise the government on promoting greater diversity in the industry, improving access to talent, and growing the country’s innovation capacity.

Recent figures suggest that the tech boom is leaving too many women behind at every stage. Men outnumber women four to 1 in computer science degrees, female founders receive 5.9x less funding than their male peers, and women hold just 18% of board roles across the UK’s fastest-growing scale-ups.

According to the 2025 Lovelace Report, between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave the tech industry each year, costing the economy up to £3.5 billion, with more than three-quarters of women with decades of experience waiting more than three years for a promotion.

At this pace,  it would take 283 years for women to achieve equal representation in the sector.

Tackling this problem will take coordinated action, with the Taskforce’s mission to look for ways to dismantle barriers across education, training, and career progression, and develop practical solutions for government and industry to implement side by side. 

The Taskforce will also aim to shape policy that encourages diversity in technology and level the playing field for women, in the hope of driving economic growth by expanding opportunities for women across the UK.

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Aiming to replicate the success of women-led UK tech companies like Starling Bank, Peanut, and Koru Kids, the Taskforce will complement existing DSIT initiatives to support emerging tech talent, such as the £187m TechFirst skills programme and the Regional Tech Booster scheme.

As one of its first moves, Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of social enterprise STEMETTES, has been appointed as the government’s Women in Tech Envoy, a role that will lead the Taskforce alongside technology secretary Liz Kendall.

“Technology should work for everyone, that is why I have established the Women in Tech Taskforce, to break down the barriers that still hold too many people back, and to partner with industry on practical solutions that make a real difference,” said Kendall.

“When women are inspired to take on a role in tech and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions, build products that serve everyone, and unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs.”